“Mastering a craft brings me joy”
This week, I am the sole carer of two cats, a turtle, a catfish, some small fish and a hedgehog named Benson. This week, I am pet sitting, inhouse, while my friend is on holiday. Never thought I would. A first time for everything. It takes me out of my comfort zone. Not a bad thing. Some say that that is where the magic happens: out of your comfort zone. Is it? Can’t embrace this one instantly.
For one thing, it’s called comfort zone for a reason. This is where you are comfortable. Why look further? Secondly, there is the risk of exploring avenues that are too much beyond yourself. Forcing yourself to be something you are not, will not create magic. It will lead to stress, if not a complete burn-out. On the other hand, if you don’t step out of the familiar: how do you know what else you can do? What else you are capable of? What would the risk be to step up and give that a proper shot?
Self-appreciation
A parallel can be drawn to my career. With the vast experience listed on my resume, something is holding me back when I see jobs that require it. There is a slight fear of being underqualified. Words like self-belief and self-acceptance come to mind. Playing a delicate part. There is also the analytical side that speaks. The need to do things meticulously and for the right reasons. Or not doing them equally so. How do you know, though, what is right?
Time to dive in.
I don’t take personal development lightly. The way I learn is by taking action. Reading in this case. Lots and lots of reading. Amazon should thank me for my business. They made nice money off me. These past few months, I’ve been accompanied by a nice, assorted collection of books. From hard-core business management books, research reports, marketing manifestos to spiritual literature: everything helps me on this journey of self-awareness.
Value of silence
In the past, I would read one book at a time rigidly. Nowadays, I pick up a book from the shelf that I’m drawn to that moment. Much more intuitive. I also take more time in between reading. To free up my mind, instead of chasing the next thing on my to do list. This way, I allow revelations – insights subconsciously pushing their way through - to appear. There is so much noise these days, online and offline. People would serve themselves by occasionally putting the outside world on mute. To switch off the noise. Since I started doing this more frequently, in combination with other things I should say, I fall asleep more easily. A life changer. I am more aware than ever that I like the quiet. I enjoy it. I need it. To process, whatever needs processing.
Personal growth
What would self-development be without personality tests to help (re)discover parts of who you are? To set you off with newfound inspiration. I realised, since I’ve last taken personality tests, I’ve grown as an individual. On all possible levels. Nice to acknowledge. To myself. However, I can’t claim the results to be 100% accurate. Not everything applies. How could it? Human behaviour is no exact science.
I can highly recommend 16personalities, a free online test I did years ago. It was insightful to go through the results again and further explore the themes touched up. I still recognise myself in previous findings. I am indeed an Entertainer motivated by interpersonal engagement, fuelled by experiences and enjoyment. With captivating enthusiasm and energy, if I weren’t so humble to say so myself. Mastering a craft brings me joy and I happily put in the work. Once I find a topic of interest, and opportunities are provided to explore this in my own way, there are no limits. My passion being the ultimate driver. Other tests that proved beneficial are the High5 test and the SparkType Assessment. Both easily accessible online, and free.
Eureka
Although not a test, there was one article so inspiring that it could have been. The McKinsey article talks about personal well-being and employee engagement in relation to business success. A true Eureka moment when I realised just which personal values, out of a list nine universal values, map out my life purpose. Call me crazy, but it was a profound moment.
For the most part, all of the above reaffirmed what I probably already knew deep down. Nothing wrong with that. I am now more consciously aware of the unique soft skills I have in my possession. Valuable transferable skills, regardless of any occupation, hobbies, and other life pursuits. Time for me to own it. My skill set, my experience, my ‘joie de vivre’. To take on what I’ve learned, what I’ve gained and put things into practice. I am open for business.